Where There's Smoke...

Released in 1979, 'Where There's Smoke...' is a pivotal entry in Smokey Robinson's solo discography, effectively cementing his role as the architect of the 'Quiet Storm' radio format. Following a period of commercial cooling, this album returned Robinson to the forefront of R&B, largely on the strength of its sophisticated production and mature themes. The record is notable for its blend of traditional soul songwriting with the emerging polish of late-70s contemporary R&B. It features a reimagined, disco-tinged version of the Temptations classic 'Get Ready,' which Robinson originally wrote, demonstrating his ability to bridge Motown's past with the dance-floor trends of the era. Critically, the album is praised for its restraint; it avoids the over-the-top maximalism of late-70s pop in favor of a lush, breezy intimacy. It remains a definitive document of the transition from classic soul to the smoother, more produced R&B that would dominate the 1980s.